Joint guard for panels

ABSTRACT

A joint guard ( 100 ) provided with means for protecting, and stabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel, said portions being selected from the group consisting of; a distal edge ( 21 ), a downwards protruding heel ( 22 ), a upper joint edge ( 25 ), a groove ( 23 ), a lower cheek ( 31 ), a distal end ( 32 ), an upwards protruding lower cheek heel ( 33 ), an upper joining edge ( 35 ), an undercut ( 34 ), a moveable locking element ( 40 ), a locking tongue ( 41 ), a locking tongue leg ( 42 ) and a maneuvering leg ( 43 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a joint guard used when cutting panels.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

Prefabricated floor boards provided with tongue and groove at the edgesare quite common nowadays. These can be installed by the average handyman as they are very easy to install. Such floors can, for example, beconstituted of solid wood, fiber board or particle board. These are mostoften provided with a surface layer such as lacquer, or some kind oflaminate. The boards are most often installed by being glued via tongueand groove. The most common types of tongue and groove are howeverburdened with the disadvantage to form gaps of varying width between thefloor boards in cases where the installer hasn't been thorough enough.Dirt will easily collect in such gaps. Moisture will furthermore enterthe gaps which will cause the core to expand in cases where it is madeof wood, fiber board or particle board, which usually is the case. Theexpansion will, cause the surface layer to rise closest to the edges ofthe joint which radically reduces the useful life of the floor since thesurface layer will be exposed to an exceptional wear. Different types oftensioning devices, forcing the floor boards together duringinstallation can be used to avoid such gaps. This operation is howevermore or less awkward. It is therefore desirable to achieve a joint whichis self-guiding and thereby automatically finds the correct position.Such a joint would also be possible to utilize in floors where no glueis to be used.

Different types of joint with mechanical locking have been madeavailable. One such joint is known through WO 94/26999. Here a lower lipis present in the form a thin strip which in selected embodiments ismade of thin, aluminum sheets. This is a delicate part which is easilydamaged when cutting the panel in connection to the assembly. The sameproblem applies to some extent on embodiments known through WO 97/47834.The locking parts of these type of floor panels are delicate and easilydamaged but once properly installed, are still very strong. It is theobject of the present invention to solve the problem connected to thecutting and assembly of these and similar type of floor panels beingprovided with delicate locking parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has through the present invention been made protect the delicateedges of panels provided with locking members. Accordingly, the presentinvention relates to a joint guard intended to be used in connection tothe installation of floor panels. The present invention is characterizedin that the joint guard is provided with means for protecting andstabilizing portions of the edge region of a panel. These portions areselected from the group consisting of: a distal edge, a downwardsprotruding heel, a upper joint edge, a groove, a lower cheek, a distalend, an upwards protruding lower cheek heel, an upper joining edge, anundercut, a moveable locking element, a locking tongue, a locking tongueleg, a maneuvering leg and a face section.

According to one embodiment of the invention the joint guard is providedwith a locking tongue stopper. The locking tongue stopper is intended toensure that the moveable locking element is kept in a default positionduring the milling as well as keeping it from getting caught in theteeth of the saw during the cutting operation.

According to one embodiment of the invention the joint guard is providedwith a locking tongue leg support and a maneuvering leg support. Thelocking tongue leg support and maneuvering leg support is intended toensure that the moveable locking element and maneuvering leg is kept ina default position during the milling as well as keeping it from gettingcaught in the teeth of the saw during the cutting operation.

According to one embodiment of the invention the joint guard is providedwith a locking tongue leg support and a face section support. Thelocking tongue leg support and a face section support is intended toensure that the locking tongue leg and a face section is kept fromgetting caught in the teeth of the saw and thereby deformed during thecutting operation.

It is possible to make the joint guard from a multitude of differentmaterials such as a thermoplastic material, a metal, a thermosettingmaterial, wood, wood fiber and wood particles.

The invention also relates to a joint guard provided with means forprotecting and stabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel. Theportions are selected from the group consisting of: a tongue, a reargroove, a lower cheek, a distal end, an inner locking groove, a tonguegroove, a locking member surface, a moveable locking member, an innerlocking tongue, a maneuvering cheek and an outer locking tongue.

According to one embodiment of the invention the joint guard is providedwith a maneuvering cheek support. The maneuvering cheek support isintended to ensure that the moveable locking element is kept in adefault position during the milling as well as keeping it from gettingcaught in the teeth of the saw during the cutting operation.

According to one embodiment of the invention the joint guard is providedwith a outer locking tongue support. The outer locking tongue support isintended to ensure that the moveable locking element is kept in adefault position during the milling as well as keeping it from gettingcaught in the teeth of the saw and deformed during the cuttingoperation.

As is understood by the accompanying drawings the moveable lockingelement may be applied on either the groove portion, or the tongueportion of a joint. In order to ensure a correct positioning of thejoint guard on the groove portion provided with a moveable lockingelement, it is advantageous to provide joint guard with a grooveengaging tongue. In cases where the moveable locking element is arrangedon the tongue portion, the joint guard is suitably provided with atongue engaging groove for ensuring a correct positioning.

It is possible to make the joint guard from a multitude of differentmaterials such as a thermoplastic material, a metal, a thermosettingmaterial, wood, wood fiber and wood particles.

The joint guard according to the present invention is primarily usedduring cutting of panels and is then applied to the edge very much likeanother panel would be. The biggest difference between another panel andthe joint guard is that the joint guard is designed not to engage oractivate the different locking mechanisms of the panel edge. As will heevident when studying enclosed embodiment examples of joints in thepresent invention, some embodiment of joint will not be easilydisassembled once two panels are joined together. The joint guard istherefore designed to hold the locking mechanism in place withoutactivating it. The joint guard is furthermore so designed as to notcause any substantial wear or deformation on functional parts such aslocking edges and the like on embodiments herein described as well as onembodiment disclosed by reference. The joint guard is then applied onthe edge of the panel to be cut and the cutting may commence. Thecutting is either performed through the joint guard or using the jointguard as a ruler. It is however advantageous to arrange the joint guardon the portion of the panel that is to be used in the installation. Thejoint guard is advantageously also used as a tapping block during theinstallation of floor panels.

In selected embodiments of joints the joint guard may serve as tool forreturning moveable locking elements to default position in case these byaccident is out of the pre-assembly position.

Floor panel joint may be designed in different ways, as for example asknown through WO 94/26999, WO 97/47834 and WO 03/083234. It is alsopossible to provide the joint with a resilient joining member made as aseparate piece which is joined with the edge of the panel. Such jointsis known through WO 00/47841 and WO 2005/054599. Also herein disclosedembodiments of joints serve as examples of joints which benefit frombeing protected during cutting.

A joint has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is providedwith a distal edge and a downwards protruding heel. The distal edge isfurther provided with an upper joint edge beneath which a groove isarranged. The second edge is provided with lower cheek having a distalend at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel is arranged. Thesecond edge is further provided with an upper joining edge beneath whichan undercut is arranged. A moveable locking element is arranged in thespace created by the undercut. The moveable locking element has alocking tongue, a locking tongue leg and a maneuvering leg. The secondedge is intended to join with the first edge through vertical motion.The moveable locking element, or more precisely the locking tongue ofthe locking element, will be displaced by the vertical motion when thetwo edges are moved towards each other. The displacement can be seen asa rotation where the locking tongue is brought to rotate around aselected pivot point. Resilient action may also realize this rotatingaction.

Suitably the downwards protruding heel presses on the maneuvering leg,thereby urging the locking tongue to move forward and engage the groove.An upper locking surface of the locking tongue is suitably longer thanthe portion of the locking tongue that can engage the groove.

The lower cheek heel suitably have a front face and that the downwardsprotruding heel have a rear face. The front face and the rear face arethen preferably intended to interact, the interaction resulting in theupper joint edge and the upper joining edge being urged together in anassembled joint.

According to one alternative the lower cheek heel suitably have a frontface and the downwards protruding heel have a rear face while themaneuvering leg have a face section. The front face and the rear faceare then preferably intended to interact, having the face section in anintermediate position, the interaction resulting in the upper joint edgeand the upper joining edge being urged together in an assembled joint.

According to one special embodiment the locking element is provided witha hinge. This will allow a snap-action cam lock effect.

A moveable locking element may suitably he made through extrusionmolding and it can be made of thermoplastic material, thermosettingmaterial or even of metal.

According to another alternative the joint have a first edge and asecond edge where the first edge is provided with a tongue and a reargroove. The second edge is provided with a lower cheek having a distalend, an inner locking groove, a tongue groove and a locking membersurface. The moveable locking member is arranged on the locking membersurface. The moveable locking member have an inner locking tongue, amaneuvering cheek and an outer locking tongue. The second edge isintended to join with the first edge through horizontal motion.

Suitably, a maneuvering area beneath the tongue press on the maneuveringcheek urging the inner locking tongue to move downwards and engage theinner locking groove. The maneuvering area beneath the tongue suitablypress on the maneuvering cheek also urging the outer locking tongue tomove upwards and engage the rear groove.

A moveable locking element like herein described may suitably be madethrough extrusion molding and it can be made of thermoplastic material,thermosetting material, a composite material or even of metal.

The joint as herein described is suitably used on products such as floorpanels or wall panels. According to an embodiment of a floor panelincludes a core which is covered with an upper decorative surface. Thecore most often consists of wood particles or fiber bonded together withglue or resin. Such core boards are commonly known as Medium DensityFiber board (MDF), High Density Fiber board (HDF), Oriented Strand Board(OSB) or particle board. It is, however, also possible to utilize theembodiments on cores made of solid wood. Since wood based core materialsare sensitive to moisture it may be advantageous to treat the areaclosest to the joint if the floor is to be exposed to moisture. Thistreatment may suitably include resin, wax or some kind of lacquer. Itwill not be necessary to treat the joint if the panels are to be gluedsince the glue itself will protect the joint from moisture penetration.The decorative upper surface may consist of a decorative paper possiblyimpregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. One or more layers of socalled overlay paper of cellulose, impregnated withmelaimine-formaldehyde resin is suitably placed on top of the decorativepaper. One or more of the above layers may be sprinkled with hardparticles, of for example aluminum oxide, silicon carbide or siliconoxide in connection to the impregnation in order to improve the abrasionresistance. The paper impregnated with resin is cured before, or inconnection to applying it to the core. The paper layers are suitablylaminated together before they are applied to the core in cases wherethe upper decorative surface is constituted by more than one paperlayers. The lower side may suitably be coated with a lacquer or a resinimpregnated paper. It is also possible to arrange an impregnated supportpaper between the decor and the core.

Among possible upper surfaces to apply to the core may be mentioned;

-   -   Thermosetting laminates including at least a decorative paper        impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. Overlay paper and        hard particles may be added to this as described earlier in the        present application.    -   The upper decorative surface may also he constituted by an        acrylic foil, an acrylic lacquer and combinations thereof. It        might also be constituted by a foil or a lacquer of polyolefins        or polyolefin derivatives.    -   It is also possible to coat a decorative surface with an acrylic        lacquer containing, or being sprinkled with, hard particles of        α-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide or silicon oxide. The coating        is most often achieved through use of a roller or through        curtain coating. Among suitable acrylic lacquers can be        mentioned radiation curing ones which are cured with electron        beam or ultraviolet light forming free radicals in the uncured        lacquer.    -   It is further possible to use wood veneer, most often coated        with oil. wax or lacquer.

It has also shown that herein described joints are well suited for othermaterials as well. It is for example possible to use the joints on coresmade of mineral based materials such as stone like marble, granite,slate, diabase, sandstone, limestone and the like,—but also ceramic,ceramic-like or composite materials like brick, concrete, fiber cement,glazed and non-glazed ceramic tiles. Some of these materials may bepolished as the only surface treatment, while glazing, painting or oiltreatment is an example of other surface treatments possible to utilizeon above mentioned core materials. It is of course also possible, asdescribed together with wood based core materials, to arrangethermosetting laminates including at least a decorative paperimpregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. Overlay paper and hardparticles may be added to this as described earlier in the presentapplication. The upper decorative surface may also be constituted by anacrylic foil, an acrylic lacquer and combinations thereof. It might alsobe constituted by a foil or a lacquer of polyolefins or polyolefinderivatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT JOINT EXAMPLES

The invention is further described together with drawing showingdifferent embodiments of the invention whereby,

FIG. 1 a-b shows a first embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 2 a -b shows a second embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 3 a -b shows a third embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 4 a -b shows a fourth embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 5 a -b shows a fifth embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 6 a -b shows a sixth embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 6 c shows an alternative version of the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 6 a -b of a joint 1.

FIG. 7 a -b shows a seventh embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 8 a-b shows a eighth embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 9 shows a ninth embodiment of a joint 1.

FIG. 10 a-b shows a tenth embodiment of a joint 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 15 shows a fifth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 16 shows a sixth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 17 shows a seventh embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 18 shows a eighth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention.

FIG. 19 shows a variation of the fourth embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, ofa joint guard 100 according to the invention.

FIG. 20 shows a another variation of the fourth embodiment, shown inFIG. 14, of a joint guard 100 according to the invention.

FIG. 21 shows a variation of the eighth embodiment, shown in FIG. 18, ofa joint guard 100 according to the invention.

FIG. 22 shows a another variation of the eighth embodiment, shown inFIG. 18, of a joint guard 100 according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT JOINT EXAMPLES

Accordingly FIG. 1 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a firstedge 2 and a second edge 3 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 ashows the joint 1 just before the joining and FIG. 1 b shows the joint 1after assembly. The first edge 2 is provided with a distal edge 21 and adownwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 is further providedwith an upper joint edge 25 beneath which a groove 23 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 having a distal end 32at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is further provided with an upper joining edge 35 beneathwhich an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable locking element 40 isarranged in the space created by the undercut 34. The moveable lockingelement 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and amaneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 is intended to join with the firstedge 2 through vertical motion.

The downwards protruding heel 22 hereby presses on the maneuvering leg43 urging the locking tongue 41 to move forward and engage the groove23. To ensure this, an upper locking surface 410 of the locking tongue41 is longer than the portion of the locking tongue 41 that can engagethe groove 23. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 while thedownwards protruding heel 22 have a rear face 26. The front face 36 andthe rear face 26 are intended to interact which is resulting in theupper joint edge 25 and the upper joining edge 35 being urged togetherin an assembled joint 1.

FIG. 2 a-b shows, in cross-section, a joint 1 having a first edge 2 anda second edge 3 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 a shows thejoint 1 just before the joining and FIG. 2 b shows the joint 1 afterassembly. The first edge 2 is provided with a distal edge 21 and adownwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 is further providedwith an upper joint edge 25 beneath which a groove 23 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 having a distal end 32at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is further provided with an upper joining edge 35 beneathwhich an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable locking element 40 isarranged in the space created by the undercut 34. The moveable lockingelement 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and amaneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 is intended to join with the firstedge 2 through vertical motion. The maneuvering leg 43 is here extendedto increase the locking force. The downwards protruding heel 22 herebypresses on the maneuvering leg 43 urging the locking tongue 41 to moveforward and engage the groove 23. To ensure this, an upper lockingsurface 410 of the locking tongue 41 is longer than the portion of thelocking tongue 41 that can engage the groove 23. The lower cheek heel 33have a front face 36 while the downwards protruding heel 22 have a rearface 26. The front face 36 and the rear face 26 are intended to interactwhich is resulting in the upper joint edge 25 and the upper joining edge35 being urged together in an assembled joint 1.

FIG. 3 a-b shows, in cross-section, a joint 1 having a first edge 2 anda second edge 3 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 3 a shows thejoint 1 just before the joining and FIG. 3 b shows the joint 1 afterassembly. The first edge 2 is provided with a distal edge 21 and adownwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 is further providedwith an upper joint edge 25 beneath which a groove 23 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 having a distal end 32at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is further provided with an upper joining edge 35 beneathwhich an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable locking element 40 isarranged in the space created by the undercut 34. The moveable lockingelement 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and amaneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 is intended to join with the firstedge 2 through vertical motion. The maneuvering leg 43 is here extendedfurther to increase the locking force. The downwards protruding heel 22hereby presses on the maneuvering leg 43 urging the locking tongue 41 tomove forward and engage the groove 23. To ensure this, an upper lockingsurface 410 of the locking tongue 41 is longer than the portion of thelocking tongue 41 that can engage the groove 23. The lower cheek heel 33have a front face 36 while the downwards protruding heel 22 have a rearface 26. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 while thedownwards protruding heel 22 have a rear face 26 and the maneuvering leghave a face section 430. The front face 36 and the rear face 26 areintended to interact, having the face section 430 in an intermediateposition. The interaction results in the upper joint edge 25 and theupper joining edge 35 being urged together in an assembled joint 1.

FIG. 4 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a fourth, embodiment. FIG. 4 a shows thejoint 1 just before the joining and FIG. 4 b shows the joint 1 afterassembly. The first edge 2 is provided with a distal edge 21 and adownwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 is further providedwith an upper joint edge 25 beneath which a groove 23 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 having a distal end 32at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 is arranged. Thesecond edge 3 is further provided with an upper joining edge 35 beneathwhich an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable locking element 40 isarranged in the space created by the undercut 34. The moveable lockingelement 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and amaneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 is intended to join with the firstedge 2 through vertical motion. The maneuvering leg 43 is provided witha hinge which allows a cam lock effect.

The downwards protruding heel 22 hereby presses on the maneuvering leg43 urging the locking tongue 41 to move forward and engage the groove23. To ensure this, an upper locking surface 430 of the locking tongue41 is longer than the portion of the locking tongue 41 that can engagethe groove 23. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 while thedownwards protruding heel 22 have a rear face 26. The front face 36 andthe rear face 26 are intended to interact which is resulting in theupper joint edge 25 and the upper joining edge 35 being urged togetherin an assembled joint 1.

FIG. 5 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 a shows the joint1 just before the joining and FIG. 5 b shows the joint 1 after assembly.The fifth embodiment is an alternative embodiment. The first edge 2 isprovided with a distal edge 21 and a downwards protruding heel 22. Thedistal edge 21 is further provided with an upper joint edge 25 beneathwhich a groove 23 is arranged. The second edge 3 is provided with alower cheek 31 having a distal end 32 at which an upwards protrudinglower cheek heel 33 is arranged. The second edge 3 is further providedwith an upper joining edge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged.A moveable locking element 40 is arranged in the space created by theundercut 34. The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, alocking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 through vertical motion.

A front surface 22 ^(I) of the downwards protruding heel 22 herebypresses on the maneuvering leg 43 urging the bent maneuvering leg 43 tostraighten whereby the locking tongue 41 moves forward and engage thegroove 23. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 while thedownwards protruding heel 22 have a rear face 26. The front face 36 andthe rear face 26 are intended to interact which is resulting in theupper joint edge 25 and the upper joining edge 35 being urged togetherin an assembled joint 1.

FIG. 6 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a sixth. FIG. 6 a shows the joint 1 justbefore the joining and FIG. 6 b shows the joint 1 after assembly. FIG. 6c shows an alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 a-b.Beginning with FIG. 6 a -b, the first edge 2 is provided with a distaledge 21 and a downwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 isfurther provided with an upper joint edge 25 beneath which a groove 23is arranged. The second edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 havinga distal end 32 at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 isarranged. The second edge 3 is further provided with an upper joiningedge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable lockingelement 40 is arranged in the space created by the undercut 34. Themoveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongueleg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The moveable locking element 40 isfurther provided with a pivot groove 43 ^(I). The lower cheek 31 isprovided with a pivot edge 31 ^(I). The pivot groove 43 ^(I) and thepivot edge 31 ^(I) are intended to interact. The second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 through vertical motion.

A front surface 22 ^(I) of the downwards protruding heel 22 herebypresses on the maneuvering leg 43 urging the maneuvering leg 43 to tiltwith the pivot edge 31 ^(I) as an axis of rotation whereby the lockingtongue 41 moves forward and engage the groove 23. The lower cheek heel33 have a front face 36 while the downwards protruding heel 22 have arear face 26. The front face 36 and the rear face 26 are intended tointeract which is resulting in the upper joint edge 25 and the upperjoining edge 35 being urged together in an assembled joint 1. The lowercheek 31, the downwards protruding heal 22 and the maneuvering leg 43are further designed so that the outermost portion of the maneuveringleg 43 is held in place by the downwards protruding heal 22 and thelower cheek 31 when the joint is assembled.

FIG. 6 c mainly correspond to FIG. 6 a-b above. The upper portion of thelower cheek 31 containing lower cheek heal 33, front face 36 and pivotedge 31 ^(I) is, however made of a separate material which is joinedwith the core material with for example glue. It is, however alsopossible to attach this portion by nailing, prizing or snapping it intoposition.

FIG. 7 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 a shows thejoint 1 just before the joining and FIG. 7 b shows the joint 1 afterassembly. The seventh embodiment is an alternative embodiment where thejoint is assembled through horizontal motion. The joint 1 have a firstedge 2 and a second edge 3 wherein the first edge 2 is provided with atongue 50 and a rear groove 51. The second edge 3 is provided with alower cheek 61 having a distal end 62. an inner locking groove 63, atongue groove 64 and a locking member surface 65. A moveable lockingmember 70 is arranged on the locking member surface 65. The moveablelocking member 70 have an inner locking tongue 71, a maneuvering cheek72 and an outer locking tongue 73. As said above the second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 through horizontal motionaccording to this, seventh embodiment. A maneuvering area 52 beneath thetongue 50 presses on the maneuvering cheek 72 urging the inner lockingtongue 71 to move downwards and engage the inner locking groove 63. Atthe same time the outer locking tongue 72 will move upwards and engagethe rear groove 51.

FIG. 8 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a eighth embodiment. FIG. 8 a shows the joint1 just before the joining and FIG. 8 b shows the joint 1 after assembly.The eighth embodiment is an alternative embodiment where the joint isassembled through horizontal motion. The joint 1 have a first edge 2 anda second edge 3 wherein the first edge 2 is provided with a tongue 50and a rear depression 53. The second edge 5 is provided with a lowercheek 61 having a distal end 62, an inner locking groove 63 and a tonguegroove 64. A moveable locking member 70 is arranged on first edge 2. Themoveable locking member 70 have a maneuvering cheek 72 and an outerlocking tongue 73. As said above the second edge 3 is intended to joinwith the first edge 2 through horizontal motion according to this,eighth embodiment. The outer locking tongue 73 is urged upwards into therear depression 53 during the assembly. It will then snap down intoengagement with inner locking groove 63 once in the fully assembledposition.

FIG. 9 shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 9 shows the joint 1just before the joining. The ninth embodiment is an alternativeembodiment where the joint is assembled through horizontal motion. Thejoint 1 have a first edge 2 and a second edge 3 wherein the first edge 2is provided with a tongue 50 and a rear groove 51. The second edge 3 isprovided with a lower cheek 61 having a distal end 62, a inner lockinggroove 63 and a tongue groove 64. A moveable locking member 70 isarranged on the first edge 2. The moveable locking member 70 have aninner locking tongue 71, a maneuvering cheek 72 and an outer lockingtongue 73. As said above the second edge 3 is intended to join with thefirst edge 2 through horizontal motion according to this, ninthembodiment. The outer locking tongue 73 and the inner locking tongue 71are urged upwards during the assembly. The outer locking tongue 73 willthen snap down into engagement with inner locking groove 63 once in thefully assembled position.

FIG. 10 a-b shows in cross-section a joint 1 having a first edge 2 and asecond edge 3 according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 10 a shows the joint1 just before the joining and FIG. 10 b shows the joint 1 afterassembly. The first edge 2 is provided with a distal edge 21 and adownwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 is further providedwith an upper joint edge 25 beneath which an undercut space 23 ^(I) isarranged. The second edge 3 is provided with a lower cheek 31 having adistal end 32 at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33 isarranged. The second edge 3 is further provided with an upper joiningedge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveable lockingelement 40 is arranged in the space created by the undercut space 23^(I) . The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, alocking tongue leg 42 also acting as a maneuvering leg 43. The secondedge 3 is intended to join with the first edge 2 through verticalmotion. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 while the downwardsprotruding heel 22 have a rear face 26. The lower cheek heel 33 have afront face 36 while the downwards protruding heel 22 have a rear face 26and the moveable locking element 40 have a face section 430. The frontface 36 and the rear face 26 are intended to interact, having a facesection 430 in an intermediate position. The interaction results in theupper joint edge 25 and the upper joining edge 35 being urged togetherin an assembled joint 1. The Socking tongue 41 will engage the undercut34 when the edges 2 and 3 respectively are fully assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention, An edge 3 as shown in FIG. 1 a-b is provided with an upperjoining edge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveablelocking element 40 is arranged in the space created by the undercut 34.The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, a lockingtongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The edge 3 is intended to joinwith a first edge 2 (see FIG. 1 a-b) through vertical motion. A jointguard 100 is provided with means for protecting and stabilizing portionsin the edge region of the panel. The portions protected and stabilizedare: a lower cheek 31, a distal end 32, an upwards protruding lowercheek heel 33, an upper joining edge 35, an undercut 34, a moveablelocking element 40, a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and amaneuvering leg 43. Accordingly, the joint guard 100 is provided with alocking tongue stopper 141, a locking tongue leg support 142 and amaneuvering leg support 143. The joint guard 100 is suitably made ofmedium density fiber board (MDF).

FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. An edge 3 as shown in FIG. 3 a-b is provided with a lowercheek 31 having a distal end 32 at which an upwards protruding lowercheek heel 33 is arranged. The second edge 3 is further provided with anupper joining edge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. Amoveable locking element 40 is arranged in the space created by theundercut 34. The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, alocking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 (see FIG. 3 a-b) through verticalmotion. The maneuvering leg 43 is here extended further to increase thelocking force. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 and themaneuvering leg 43 have a face section 430. A joint guard 100 isprovided with means for protecting and stabilizing portions in the edgeregion of the panel. The portions protected and stabilized are: a lowercheek 31, a distal end 32, an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33, anupper joining edge 35, an undercut 34, a moveable locking element 40, alocking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43.Accordingly, the joint guard 100 is provided with a locking tonguestopper 141, a locking tongue leg support 142 and a maneuvering legsupport 143, The joint guard 100 is suitably made of medium densityfiber board (MDF).

FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. An edge 3 as shown in FIG. 3 a-b is provided with a lowercheek 31 having a distal end 32 at which an upwards protruding lowercheek heel 33 is arranged. The second edge 3 is further provided with anupper joining edge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. Amoveable locking element 40 is arranged in the space created by theundercut 34. The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, alocking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 (see FIG. 3 a-b) through verticalmotion. The maneuvering leg 43 is here extended further to increase thelocking force. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36 and themaneuvering leg have a face section 430. A joint guard 100 is providedwith means for protecting and stabilizing portions in the edge region ofthe panel. The portions protected and stabilized are: a lower cheek 31,a distal end 32, an upwards protruding lower cheek heel 33, an upperjoining edge 35, an undercut 34, a moveable locking element 40, alocking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43.Accordingly, the joint guard 100 is provided with a locking-tonguestopper 141 and a maneuvering leg support 143. The distal edge of themaneuvering leg 43 is supported by a vertical surface 142 ^(I). Thejoint guard 100 is suitably made of medium density fiber board (MDF).

FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. An edge 3 as shown in FIG. 6 a-b is provided with a lowercheek 31 having a distal end 32 at which an upwards protruding lowercheek heel 33 is arranged. The edge 3 is further provided with an upperjoining edge 35 beneath which an undercut 34 is arranged. A moveablelocking element 40 is arranged in the space created by the undercut 34.The moveable locking element 40 have a locking tongue 41, a lockingtongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43. The moveable locking element 40is further provided with a pivot groove 43 ^(I). The lower cheek 31 isprovided with a pivot edge 31 ^(I). The pivot groove 43 ^(I) and thepivot edge 31 ^(I) are intended to interact. The second edge 3 isintended to join with the first edge 2 (see FIG. 6 a-b) through verticalmotion. The lower cheek heel 33 have a front face 36. A joint guard 100is provided with means for protecting and stabilizing portions in theedge region of the panel. The portions protected and stabilized are: alower cheek 31, a distal end 32, an upwards protruding lower cheek heel33, an upper joining edge 35, an undercut 34, a moveable locking element40, a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg43. Accordingly, the joint guard 100 is provided with a locking tonguestopper 141 and a maneuvering leg support 143. The joint guard 100 issuitably made of medium density fiber board (MDF).

FIG. 15 shows a fifth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. A second edge 3 as shown in FIG. 7 a-b is provided with alower cheek 61 having a distal end 62, an inner locking groove 63, atongue groove 64 and a locking member surface 65. A moveable lockingmember 70 is arranged on the locking member surface 65. The moveablelocking member 70 have an inner locking tongue 71, a maneuvering cheek72 and an outer locking tongue 73. The second edge 3 is intended to joinwith the first edge 2 (see FIG. 7 a-b) through horizontal motion. Ajoint guard 100 is provided with means for protecting and stabilizingportions in the edge region of a panel. These portions are: a lowercheek 61, an inner locking groove 63, a tongue groove 64, a lockingmember surface 65, a moveable locking member 70, an inner locking tongue71, a maneuvering cheek 72 and an outer locking tongue 73. The jointguard 100 supports, protect and stabilize through means of a maneuveringcheek support 172, an outer locking tongue support 173 and a grooveengaging tongue 164. The joint guard 100 is suitably made of mediumdensity fiber board (MDF).

FIG. 16 shows a sixth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. A first edge 2 as shown in FIG. 8 a-b is provided with atongue 50 and a rear depression 53. A moveable locking member 70 isarranged on first edge 2. The moveable locking member 70 have amaneuvering cheek 72 and an outer locking tongue 73. A second edge 3(see FIG. 8 a-b) is intended to join with the first edge 2 throughhorizontal motion. The outer locking tongue 73 is urged upwards into therear depression 53 during the assembly. It will then snap down intoengagement with inner locking groove 63 (see FIG. 8 a-b) once in thefully assembled position. A joint guard 100 is provided with means forprotecting and stabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel. Theseportions are: a moveable locking member 70, a maneuvering cheek 72, anouter locking tongue 73 and a tongue 50. The joint guard 100 supports,protect and stabilize through means of a maneuvering cheek support 172,an outer locking tongue support 173 and a tongue engaging groove 150.Also the vertical edge portions of the joint is protected. The jointguard 100 is suitably made of medium density fiber board (MDF).

FIG. 17 shows a seventh embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. A first edge 2 as shown in FIG. 10 a-b is provided with adistal edge 21 and a downwards protruding heel 22. The distal edge 21 isfurther provided with an upper joint edge 25 beneath which an undercutspace 23 ^(I) is arranged. A moveable locking element 40 is arranged inthe space created by the undercut space 23 ^(I). The moveable lockingelement 40 have a locking tongue 41, a locking tongue leg 42 also actingas a maneuvering leg 43. The second edge 3 (see FIG. 10 a-b) is intendedto join with the first edge 2 through vertical motion. The downwardsprotruding heel 22 have a rear face 26 and the moveable locking element40 have a face section 430. A joint guard 100 is provided with means forprotecting and stabilizing portions in the edge region of the panel. Theportions protected and stabilized are: a distal edge 21, a downwardsprotruding heel 22, an upper joint edge 25, an undercut space 23 ^(I), arear face 26, a moveable locking element 40, a locking tongue 41, alocking tongue leg 42 and a maneuvering leg 43 and a face section 430.Accordingly, the joint guard 100 is provided with a locking tonguestopper 141, a maneuvering leg support 143 and a face section support136. The joint guard 100 is suitably made of medium density fiber board(MDF).

FIG. 18 shows a eighth embodiment of a joint guard 100 according to theinvention. A second edge 3 known through WO 94/26999 is provided with alower cheek 61 having a distal end 62. A bendable locking member 70 isarranged on a second edge 3. The bendable locking member 70 have anouter locking tongue 73. A joint guard 100 is provided with means forprotecting and stabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel. Theseportions are: a lower cheek 61, a distal end 62, a a bendable lockingmember 70 and an outer locking tongue 73. The joint guard 100 supports,protect and stabilize through means of an outer locking tongue support173 and a groove engaging tongue 164. The basic principle of the jointguard 100 shown in FIG. 18 is also applicable on joints as described inWO 03/083234. The joint guard 100 is suitably made of medium densityfiber board (MDF).

FIG. 19 shows a variation of the fourth embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, ofa joint guard 100 according to the invention. The joint guard 100 isprovided with a locking tongue stopper 141 and a maneuvering leg support143 as described in FIG. 14. The joint guard 100 according to thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 19 is further provided with an topsurface edge guard 110 intended protect the edge of a top surfacelaminate during cutting, especially from splitting and separating in theedge region.

FIG. 20 shows another variation of the fourth embodiment, shown in FIG.14, of a joint guard 100 according to the invention. Above what isdescribed in figure connection to 14 and 19 the joint guard is furtherprovided with a handle 111 used for holding the joint guard 100 in placeduring for example cutting. The handle 111 is especially useful whenusing the joint guard 100 as a tapping block.

FIG. 21 shows a variation of the eighth embodiment, shown in FIG. 18, ofa joint guard 100 according to the invention. The joint guard 100supports, protect and stabilize through means of an outer locking tonguesupport 173 and a groove engaging tongue 164. The joint guard 100according to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 21 is furtherprovided with an top surface edge guard 110 intended protect the edge ofa top surface laminate during cutting, especially from splitting andseparating in the edge region. The groove engaging tongue 164 is alsomade more shallow and tapered compared to the embodiment shown in FIG.18.

FIG. 22 shows a another variation of the eighth embodiment, shown inFIG. 18, of a joint guard 100 according to the invention. Above what isdescribed in connection to FIGS. 18 and 21 the joint guard is furtherprovided with a handle 111 used for holding the joint guard 100 in placeduring for example cutting. The handle 111 is especially useful whenusing the joint guard 100 as a tapping block. The groove engaging tongue164 of FIGS. 18 and 21 is furthermore omitted in the embodiment shown inFIG. 22.

The invention is not limited by the embodiments shown as they can bevaried in different ways within the scope of the invention.

1. A joint guard (100) provided with means for protecting andstabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel, said portions beingselected from the group consisting of: a distal edge (21), a downwardsprotruding heel (22), a upper joint edge (25), a groove (23), a lowercheek (31), a distal end (32), an upwards protruding lower cheek heel(33), an upper joining edge (35), an undercut (34), a moveable lockingelement (40), a locking tongue (41), a locking tongue leg (42), amaneuvering leg (43) and a face section (430).
 2. A joint guard (100)according to claim 1 wherein the joint guard (100) is provided with alocking tongue stopper (141).
 3. A joint guard (100) according to claim1 wherein the joint guard (100) is provided with a locking tongue legsupport (142).
 4. A joint guard (100) according to claim 1 wherein thejoint guard (100) is provided with a maneuvering leg support (143).
 5. Ajoint guard (100) according to claim 1 wherein the joint guard (100) isprovided with a locking tongue leg support (142) and a face sectionsupport (136).
 6. A joint guard (100) according to claim 1 wherein thejoint guard (100) is made of a thermoplastic material.
 7. A joint guard(100) according to claim 1 wherein the joint guard (100) is made of ametal.
 8. A joint guard (100) according to claim 1 wherein the jointguard (100) is made of a thermosetting material.
 9. A joint guard (100)according to claim 1 wherein the joint guard (100) is comprises wood.10. A joint guard (100) according to claim 1 wherein the joint guard(100) is comprises wood fiber.
 11. A joint guard (100) according toclaim 1 wherein the joint guard (100) comprises wood particles.
 12. Ajoint guard (100) provided with means for protecting and stabilizingportions in the edge region of a panel, said portions being selectedfrom the group consisting of: a tongue (50), a rear groove (51), a lowercheek (61), a distal end (62), an inner locking groove (63), a tonguegroove (64), a locking member surface (65), a moveable locking member(70), an inner locking tongue (71), a maneuvering cheek (72) and anouter locking tongue (73).
 13. A joint guard (100) according to claim 11wherein the joint guard (100) is provided with a maneuvering cheeksupport (172).
 14. A joint guard (100) according to claim 11 wherein thejoint guard (100) is provided with a outer locking tongue support (173).15. A joint guard (100) according to claim 11 wherein the joint guard(100) is provided with a groove engaging tongue (164).
 16. A joint guard(100) according to claim 11 wherein the joint guard (100) is providedwith a tongue engaging groove (150).
 17. A joint guard (100) accordingto claim 11 wherein the joint guard (100) is made of a thermoplasticmaterial.
 18. A joint guard (100) according to claim 11 wherein thejoint guard (100) is made of a metal.
 19. A joint guard (100) accordingto claim 11 wherein the joint guard (100) is made of a thermosettingmaterial.
 20. A joint guard (100) according to claim 11 wherein thejoint guard (100) is comprises wood.
 21. A joint guard (100) accordingto claim 11 wherein the joint guard (100) is comprises wood fiber.
 22. Ajoint guard (100) according to claim 11 wherein the joint guard (100)comprises wood particles.